He also pleaded guilty to charges of possessing indecent images of children – 166 in total.

All pleas were made at earlier hearings at Portsmouth Crown Court.

“I must thank the family involved. Without the questioning nature of this young girl – who told her mum and dad in the first place – and the help and support her parents have given our investigation team, it’s possible Claassen’s activities could have gone undetected.

“Instead, their vital evidence has led to a guilty plea and sentence.

As well as the custodial sentence, Claassen will be on the Sex Offenders register for 10 years and will be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. His electronic equipment will be forfeited.